1. What Is This Fraction Calculator?

This calculator takes a numerator and denominator as input and returns the simplified fraction form (a/b). It automatically reduces fractions to their simplest form.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following process:

Where:

• \( a \) — Numerator (must be ≥ 0)
• \( b \) — Denominator (must be ≥ 1)
• \( \text{GCD}(a,b) \) — Greatest Common Divisor of a and b

Explanation: The calculator finds the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divides both by this number to simplify the fraction.

3. Importance Of Fraction Results

Details: Fractions in simplest form are easier to understand and work with in mathematical operations. Simplified fractions are the standard representation in most mathematical contexts.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter any integer numerator (≥0) and denominator (≥1). The calculator will automatically simplify the fraction. Whole numbers will be displayed without a denominator (e.g., 5 instead of 5/1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I enter 0 as denominator?
A: The calculator requires denominator ≥1 (division by zero is undefined). An error will be shown if you try to submit with denominator = 0.

Q2: How are negative numbers handled?
A: This calculator only accepts non-negative numbers. For negative fractions, the negative sign would typically apply to the whole fraction or numerator.

Q3: What's the largest number this can handle?
A: The calculator can handle numbers up to PHP's integer limits (typically ±2 billion). Extremely large numbers may cause performance issues.

Q4: Why does 4/2 simplify to 2?
A: When the denominator is 1 after simplification, the calculator displays just the numerator for cleaner presentation.

Q5: Can this calculator handle decimals?
A: No, this version only works with integers. For decimal inputs, you would need to first convert them to fractions.